First Foal for Totilas Born

The first foal sired by dressage star Totilas was born yesterday (23 January) in The Netherlands.

The dark brown filly, named Moorlands Guinevere, is out of the Dutch elite sport mare Moorlands Sajouti (Clavecimbel x Flamingo), who was 2010 level 4 champion in The Netherlands with rider Laura Visser.

Moorlands Guinevere was born at the University Clinic for Animals in Utrecht.

"They did a very good job with the insemination of the mare," a spokesman for Moorlands Stables said. "So we though it would be wise to bring her back in her last period."

"It is very special to breed a foal of Totilas and we are happy that everything went well."

Totilas's former rider, Edward Gal, was among the first visitors to the clinic to see the new arrival.

In the past two years, Totilas and Gal have broken the world record at all three grand prix levels, winning team and individual gold at the European Championships (2009), the world cup title and three gold medals at the World Equestrian Games (2010).

Story, Horse and Hound. Picture courtesy of Arnd Bronkhorst, www.arnd.nl